Homes England has acquired Ripon Barracks from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to build 1,300 homes.
Planning permission was granted by North Yorkshire council for the phased development, which includes a new primary school, community centre and retail area.
The initial phase will see 150 homes built on the vacant Deverell Barracks site.
Claro Barracks, Laver Banks and the former Engineering Park will be developed after the Royal Engineers move to Marne Barracks in Catterick.
The project is part of the Government’s approach to using public land for housebuilding, with several departments working together.
The Defence Estate Optimisation portfolio aims to sell off military sites that are no longer needed and invest in key infrastructure.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “Unlocking underused public land like Ripon Barracks is exactly the kind of practical action people want to see, and a crucial part of tackling the housing crisis we face.
“By working with Homes England as a key delivery partner, we’re making a real difference for people in North Yorkshire by creating vibrant communities and driving economic growth.
“This marks another step forward in our mission to build 1.5 million homes in our Plan for Change.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “We are delivering on our promise to create a new, trailblazer approach to the use of public land and unlock homeownership for working families in North Yorkshire and beyond.
“We are working together to speed up planning permissions and housebuilding plans. This is a truly cross-government effort to remove blockers, deliver homes and boost growth in support of our Plan for Change.
“Alongside this, we are investing more than £7 billion this Parliament on improving accommodation for military personnel and their families, providing them the standard of living they truly deserve.”
Homes England will act as master developer and organise the infrastructure before construction starts; this includes drainage, roads and other enabling works.
Homes England and the MoD plan to keep elements of the site’s military history, including the parade ground and original footpaths.
Eamonn Boylan, CEO of Homes England, said: “This milestone achievement is the result of government bodies uniting to drive forward this government’s mission of building 1.5 million homes this parliament.
“By combining MoD’s land assets with Homes England’s planning and development expertise, we’ve unlocked a site with a historic past which we’re determined will shape the development’s future.”
Robert Smith, deputy head of major disposals for the defence infrastructure organisation, said: “This is an important milestone in bringing forward Ripon Barracks for redevelopment and is testament to the strong collaboration between all partners involved.
“Ripon Barracks has a rich history and this is an excellent example of how sites that are no longer needed by the military can be unlocked to bring real benefits to the local community.”
